Toilet kit



Swt. 17, 1935. H. TRACHTENBERG TOILET KIT Filed May 24, 1935 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES FAENT OFFIcE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to devices such as portable receptacles, and has particular reference to toilet kits, and the like.

One object of the invention is to provide a device adapted to fully open upto a limiting position and to rest in display position on either side thereof with one side upright and supporting articles the view of which is unobstructed by any closure gussets.

Another object is to furnish a toilet kit which in closed position appears like a conventional handbag.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a toilet kit as set forth having means supporting relatively heavy articles in the upright wall with the center of gravity of the articles arranged so as not to cause rolling or tilting of the device.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a device wherein reenforced or stiff side walls act in opposition to the pivoted frame elements in the full open position to constitute the sole means for limiting the opening of the device.

Another object is to arrange flexible connections or gussets interconnecting the stiif side walls with the channeled frame members, which gussets are tapered and so arranged with respect to the side Walls as to prevent pulling out of the gussets from the frame members in the full open position as aforesaid.

Another object is to provide an improved stiff wall and flexible gusset interconnection which lies outside and beyond the frame members.

Another object is to furnish improved toilet kit article supporting means to prevent any substantial distortion thereof.

A further object is the provision of a device having few and simple parts, which is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, and which is durable, neat, compact, reliable and eflicient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective isometric view of a device embodying the invention, in the closed position thereof, with dotted lines indicating the arrangement of the frame and marginal gusset for one side of the device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective isometric view of the device in the display, limited, full open position. 5

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-4 of Fig. 1, with parts removed.

Fig. l is a vertical sectional View taken on the line i4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on 10 the inclined line 55 of Fig. 2, with parts removed.

Fig. 6 is a front view with parts removed and parts in section showing the article supporting means.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view thereof.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and 20 the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the'art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different construc tions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, Ill denotes a device such as a toilet kit embodying the invention. The same may include a bag l I, and U-shaped frame members l2, desirably of channel form, pivotally interconnected at l 3 for movement toward and away from each other to close and open the bag.

The bag H includes reenforced or relatively stiff side walls l4, l5, see Fig. 3, foldably interconnected at the bottom of the bag by a relatively stiff or reenforced fold portion It which may be considered a part of the side walls, if de- 4,0 sired. The side walls M, l5 may be directly clamped in the top sections I 1 of the frame members as shown in Fig. 4, and may be connected at their ends by flexible marginal gussets 58, as by stitching IS, with the gussets being clamped in the adjacent end sections of the frame members as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The gussets H5 at each end of the bag are relatively narrow and taper upward, and are reversely folded in the closed position, as indicated in Fig. 3, and con-- stitute a one piece element extending along and continuously connected to the side walls and to the frame members, except at the immediate proximity of the pivots l3.

The frame members i2 extend substantially the pivots I3 above but in relatively close proximity to the bag bottom I6. Except as hereinbefore described, the frame members I2 are wholly free and separate of each other, and particularly of such gussets as are commonly provided to lie substantially between the frame members and to limit the opening of the bag, and incidentally preventing a full access and view of the articles that may be contained in the bag.

The side walls I4, I5 desirably project outward and beyond the ends of the frame members I 2 and preferably increase in length in the downward direction so that the end edges 2 of the side walls diverge with respect to the end frame sections, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. This re sults in a number of advanta es. fabrication of the device III being thus simplified, the end frame sections partially concealed, ample space afforded for the reversely folded gussets I8 without taking up space within the bag, and primarily, a more even transverse stress caused in the gussets I8 in the full open position.

My invention provides an arrangement and construction wherein the side walls I4. I5 constitute the means for limiting the extent of opening of the bag, as, for example, to an angle of say 90 degrees. or to an angle not substantially in excess of approximately 120 degrees. In effecting this function. the side walls act in compression in opposition to the frame members :2. which cause the compression. Nevertheless. the side walls. and the bottom fold I6 are not wrinkled or broken, but lie smooth and uniform as shown in Fig. 2.

The side walls M. B5 are adapted. to thus limit the opening of the bag by reason of the marg nal gusset-s I8, which become expanded and limit the movement of the side walls away from the frame members. Hence the gussets I8 are subjected to tension transversely thereof. Th s results in a tendency to pull the gussets out of the channeled frame connection especially adjacent to the pivots I3.

Equalization of the transverse stress on the gussets I8 is effected. first by the triangular shape of the gussets I8 as indicated in the expanded position thereof in Fig. 2, and second. because of the divergent arrangement of the side walls at the end edges 2!) thereof to afford maximum spacing from the frame members at the pivots I3. and thus to afford greater flexibility and yield thereat. Thus the tension on the frame members by the gussets I8 is relatively uniform therealong.

The side walls I4, I5 may be st ffened substantially throughout, or may be stiffened only at the end edges 20, or both. For example, the marginal gussets I8 may be considered as having fold connection with the bag side walls along the edges 20, and such fold is substantially greater than 90 degrees because the gussets form an acute angle with the side walls. Hence the connections at 20 afford a reenforcement, but they may also be additionally stiffened as hereinafter described.

Preferably, the bag side walls including the bottom portion include a sheet of relatively stiff cardboard material, or the like, 2|, which may extend continuously and throughout the same. This sheet 2| may be faced on the inside by any suitable lining 22, and on the outside by a suitable sheet of covering material 23 such as leather, textile or composition fabric. Due to the stiffbent and clamped in the frame channels, and

the entire length and height of the bag II, with hence terminates outside the top sections II as at 24, as shown in Fig. 4, but the members 22 and 23 are clamped in said top sections. For proper securement of the stiff sheets 2 I, they may be fastened as by a continuous line of stitching 5 I9 to the lining 22 at the tops and ends of the side walls, and also to the gussets I8 by the same line of stitching.

Since the side walls project outside of the end frame sections and taper relatively thereto into 10 close proximity to the frames, the stitching I9 is desirably effected before the assembling with the frame members, and hence also the raw edges of the members !8, 2I and 22 project outward as they all lie in thin compact unfolded relation with each other. To conceal these edges, and afford a neat finished appearance, the material 23 is not stitched to members 2! 22 but is folded over at 25, and cemented to the edges and to the gussets I8 at 26, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Such connection may be made with ample adhesive, which on hardening, greatly stiffens the edge portions 28 of the side walls I4, I5.

It is now seen that in the closed position of the device. a substantial part of the gussets I8 extends alongside of the walls I4, I5, as in Fig. 3, with the inner fold of the gussets extending as at 21. In the open position the gussets thus afford a somewhat yielding or elastic structure to equalize stresses and prevent pulling out of the gussets 30 from the channel frames.

One of the walls such as I4 may have means for supporting one or more relatively heavy articles such as liquid filled glass bottles 28. Said means may be arranged to hold the articles with the center of gravity low and relatively close to the bottom I6 of the bag to prevent tilting in the open display position of Fig. 2. For example, a band 29 may be provided, open ended at the bottom, and having at its upper edge an elastic element or part 30, both being secured at their opposite ends to the members 2 I, 22 in any suitable manner, as by being directly engaged by the stitching I9 as indicated in Fig. 6. Suspended from the member 30 is a bottom or shelf like memher 3| having upward folded end portions 32 stitched to the elastic band at 33 so as to be yieldably supported, and said shelf being separate of the wall I4. Thus the weight of the bottles 28 resting on the shelf 3| does not cause a sag in the band 29 intermediate of its ends. The elastic element 30, in conjunction with the stiff wall I l, assures snugness, and engages over the shoulders of the bottles for reliable holding.

The wall I5 may have a transverse strap 34 secured thereto at spaced points 35 for holding toilet articles.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made in the device as shown in the drawing, and that the same is submitted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A toilet kit having a plurality of U shaped frame members pivotally interconnected for relative movement toward and away from each other to close and open the toilet kit, a bag having side walls directly connected to the frame members at the tops thereof, marginal gussets substantially continuously interconnecting the side walls and the sides of the respective frame members, said marginal gussets increasing in width in downward direction, the side walls having a fold portion interconnecting the same at the bottom of the bag, the pivot of the frame members being in relative proximity to and above the bottom of the bag, said frame members being otherwise separate of each other, and the side walls having stiffening portions along their lines of connection with the gussets, whereby the opening of the bag is limited to approximately a right angle by the action of the stiffening portions and the gussets acting between the said portions and the frame members.

2. A toilet kit including a bag comprising a pair of side walls foldably interconnected at the bottom of the bag, a plurality of frame members pivotally interconnected at points immediately above the bag bottom, said frame members being otherwise separate of each other, the'side walls being connected along the top edges thereof to the respective frame members, reversely folded marginal gussets connecting the ends of each side wall with the adjacent sides, said gussets increasing in width from the top toward the bottom of the bag, stiffening means for the side walls, whereby the opening up of the bag is limited by the stiffened side walls which move away from the frame members and cause extension of the gussets so that the latter exert a tension between the side walls and the frame members.

3. A toilet kit including a bag, a plurality of channeled frame members pivot-ally interconnected for movement toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, said frame members being otherwise separate of each other, said bag comprising side Walls foldably interconnected at the bottom thereof and directly connected at their tops to the respective frame members, the bottom of the bag being below and in relatively close proximity to the pivots, marginal gussets extending continuously along the side walls at the ends thereof and being substantially continuously clampingly connected to adjacent end portions of the frame members, the side walls increasing in length toward the bottom of the bag and projecting beyond the frame members at the ends of the side walls, said gussets being reversely folded and increasing in width toward the bottom of the bag and having folded connection with the side walls at said ends of the latter, said side walls being stiffened and the folds between the gussets and the side walls affording reenforcements for the latter so that the side walls and the fold thereof are not wrinkled in fully opening the bag and the gussets being relatively narrow to cause the side walls to constitute means for limiting the opening of the toilet kit, and the gussets being subjected to transverse tension by the side walls and being adapted, due to the tapering shape thereof, to prevent pulling out of the gussets from the channeled frame members.

4. A toilet kit including a bag, frame members pivotally interconnected for movement toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, the bag having side walls foldably interconnected at the bottom of the bag, the frame pivots being above and in close proximity to the bag bottom, the frame members being otherwise free of each other, the side walls being stiffened to prevent collapse of the bottom fold and having marginally gusseted end connection with the frame members and rigid top connection with the latter, the gussets being narrow and tapering upwardly to exert tension between the 5 frame members and the side Walls to limit the opening of the bag, and means on the bag for supporting articles, said means being mounted on a side wall and located in close proximity to the bag bottom so that relatively heavy articles can be supported in upright position with the. adjacent side wall upright and the other side wall resting freely on .a horizontal supporting surface.

5. A toilet kit including a bag having side walls foldably interconnected at the bottom and affording an opening extending substantially from the top to the bottom of the bag, said opening having a maximum angle of approximately 120 degrees, means mounted on one side wall in relatively close proximity to the bag bottom for supporting relatively heavy articles so that the center of gravity thereof is relatively close to the bottom of the bag, so that the open bag can rest on either side thereof with the other side upright, frame members for the bag pivotally movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, marginal gussets interconnecting the frame members with the ends of the side Walls, the gussets being of generally triangular shape and being relatively narrow so as to be substantially fully extended upon full opening of the bag, and the side walls including the fold thereof being relatively stiff to resist compressive distortion and to thus limit the opening of the bag as aforesaid and also to resist distortion by the weight of the articles.

6. A toilet-kit having a plurality of U shaped frame members pivot-ally interconnected for relative movement toward and away from each other to close and open the toilet kit, a bag having side walls directly connected to the frame members at the tops thereof, marginal gussets substantially continuously interconnecting the side walls and the sides of the respective frame members, said 5 marginal gussets increasing in width in downward direction, the side walls having a fold portion interconnecting the same at the bottom of the bag, the pivot of the frame members being in relative proximity to and above the bottom of 5 the bag, said frame members being otherwise separate of each other, and the side walls having stiffening portions along their lines of connection with the gussets, whereby the opening of the bag is limited by the action of the stiffening portions and the gussets acting between the said portions and the frame members, and means for supporting articles, said means being mounted on a side wall and located in close proximity to the bag bottom so that relatively heavy articles can be supported in upright position with the said side wall in upright position and the other side wall resting freely on a horizontal supporting surface.

HARRY TRACHTENBERG. 

